Six fires in two days at Temple University construction site

Federal and city authorities are investigating six small fires set over the last two days at the construction site for a new high-rise residence hall at Temple University.

Temple spokesman Ray Betzner said there is no danger to staff or students, but the university put an alert out so people know why emergency personnel continue to get called to the scene. The new Morgan Hall construction site takes up the entire bock at Cecil B. Moore and North Broad streets.

The statement from Temple said: "We want to inform the Temple community of a series of fires that were set at the Morgan Hall construction site yesterday and today. The fires involved construction debris and were not serious.

No one was injured and construction continues on the site as scheduled. Federal and city authorities are investigating the incidents, which have been limited to the work site and pose no threat to the Temple community."

The last fire occurred a couple hours ago, Betzner said. In addition the city, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also are trying to find out who set the fires, he said.

There is no estimate on damage. The fires were largely in the construction debris area.

Morgan Hall includes a 27-story tower, surrounded by a 10-story rectangular structure.

Contact Susan Snyder at 215-854-4693 or ssnyder@phillynews.com or follow on Twitter @ssnyderinq